The Synod of the Trinity Enews: Welcome, Michael Wilson!

	February 14, 2023 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together Synod of the Trinity Synod stated clerk role fits Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson just fine Michael Wilson didn't grow up aspiring to be stated clerk. But now that he is both a stated clerk for the Synod of the Trinity and the Presbytery of Donegal, it's evident that this is a calling for him. “As a stated clerk of a presbytery, I love supporting congregations and I felt really supported by the Synod. I’m grateful for the Synod in their support of that work (at Donegal).” To read more about Michael's journey to the Synod, click here. Carlisle New worshiping community 'Intertwined' with outdoors Presbytery of Carlisle pastor Kevin Long is attempting to reach "nones and dones" through a new worshiping community called "Intertwined." Intertwined is a gathering on Sunday afternoons that occurs outdoors during warmer weather and online during the winter months. This community can be one that's in addition to where a person goes on Sunday mornings or for the non-church goer who is looking to fill a void in their life. “The idea has never been to replicate what is already being done in our congregations,” Kevin said. “It’s to supplement them and pull in people who aren’t churched, whether they stopped attending or don’t speak that language because they never attended church in the first place.” A Synod of the Trinity Innovation Grant is helping get this new ministry off the ground. For more on this unique outreach, click here. Lake Erie Rev. Harry Johns, 80, had a heart for service For 15 years, the Rev. Harry Johns drove an hour each way to serve the Adamsville Presbyterian Church in northwestern Pennsylvania as its part-time pastor. This routine started in 2008, just three months after he was honorably retired from the Presbytery of Lake Erie at the age of 65. The call in Adamsville was the fourth and final one for Harry, who passed away on New Year’s Eve one month after celebrating his 80th birthday. “It’s unique that he served for 15 years after he was honorably retired,” remarked the Rev. Anita Bernhardt, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake Erie. “We don’t have a lot of that where you’re preaching every week 15 years after you’re honorably retired." For more on Harry's impact to the region, especially in the communities he served, click here. Donegal New book provides daily 'encouraging think pieces' Retired Presbytery of Donegal pastor Charlie Gross has written five books on encouragement throughout his career. And now he's packaging them all into one, easy-to-read compilation that can serve as a daily devotional or daily “encouraging think piece.” The Big Book of Christian Encouragement includes 401 pages with 181 encouraging episodes that were inspired by God’s generous gift of imagination. They arose out of real-life experiences and observations coupled with God’s word. Information on the books are available on Charlie's website here. The Big Book of Christian Encouragement is available on Amazon here.
Ohio church collecting for train crash The First Presbyterian Church of Columbiana, OH, is collecting donations for residents in its area that have been affected by the recent train derailment in East Palestine, OH, that has set off evacuation orders and created a toxic chemical scare. First Church of Columbiana is not located in the Synod of the Trinity but is just outside the border of Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery. To donate, visit the church's website by clicking here, then click on "Donate," then "Other" and enter "EP Train Derailment" in the box. PDA giving support to quake victims Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the areas of Syria and Turkey impacted by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. The quake and its aftershocks have left more than 33,000 people dead and thousands more injured. PDA will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying its partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience. To support PDA and its efforts, click here. Krislund Camp turning caps into benches Krislund Camp has started a "Caps for Krislund" drive/fundraiser that anyone can participate in. The plastic cap recycling program involves collecting plastic bottle caps of various sizes to eventually be recycled into picnic benches for Krislund! Save your plastic caps from soda bottles, cottage cheese containers, etc. - just about anything plastic. If you aren't sure if it is acceptable, save it anyway. The Thursday Volunteers will be cleaning and sorting the plastic caps before they are shipped out! Consider putting a collection container in the vestibule of your church. Please give your plastic caps to someone who can get them to Krislund or come and join the group of Thursday Volunteers. Large mix of Lenten devotionals available Several groups affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have created devotional materials for Lent. A short list is available here: **Imago Dei — Pittsburgh Theological Seminary These free online or printed daily devotions are based on the PCUSA's Daily Lectionary. Click here to access them. **PC(USA) Store Lenten Resource Guide Click here to access this free guide. When viewing on your computer or other device, click on any title or cover to be taken to the product page. Click on the dark blue blocks to download resource samples. Email or print the guide to use for personal research or with committees. **Inward Work for Outward Living — Presbyterian Outlook A daily devotional that explores the connection between internal contemplation and outward action. Digital copies ($35) can be copied and/or emailed with unlimited quantity. Click here to learn more. Doylestown PC hosting Tuskegee airman Doylestown Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Philadelphia will host Tuskegee Airman Dr. Eugene J. Richardson Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 16. The Tuskegee Airmen were the nation’s first Black fighter pilots to see combat. For some of the Airmen, that struggle for racial and social equality remains a driving force, inspiring them to keep their legacy alive. There is a $10 entrance fee that can be paid at the door. For more on the event and to register, click here.
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